The University of North Carolina at Pembroke recently held an event celebrating 50th anniversary of Student Support Services, referred to as TRIO programs.
Student Support Services was established in the 1968 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. TRIO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
Program staff coordinated an event with the youth center at the Pembroke Housing Authority to enlighten and educate our young people and future leaders about the heritage of their ancestors.
The program featured Kat Littleturtle, a gifted storyteller and her grandson, Kaya Littleturtle, a tribal cultural enrichment coordinator with the Lumbee Tribe. Kat brought old wise native tales to life for the 75 students in attendance.
Kaya performed traditional songs and shared a brief history of how the local American Indians once lived and the language they once spoke.
The objective of the leaders within our community is to provide our young people, as well as all our people with a sense of self-identity, through knowing and understanding the roots of our heritage.
After the event, staff presented the youth with a UNCP lanyard and a UNCP banner donated by the Office of Admissions.